Columbia Housing Continues Work to Enhance Student Living Experience

While long-term capital project planning looks towards the future, in parallel Housing drives annual work to better every day living in the residence halls

The undergraduate residence halls are a campus home away from home. As the Housing team plans with partners on long term capital projects, annual improvement initiatives make a significant impact on day-to-day living in the residence halls.

Air Conditioning in All First-Year Residence Halls

Although the academic year only shoulders part of the summer, it can get hot in New York City. Most of Columbia’s residential buildings were constructed long before central cooling was invented. In an effort to make a more comfortable living environment for residents, Columbia Housing added window units to First-Year buildings in Hartley, John Jay and Wallach. No small undertaking: installation required careful coordination and installation with campus partners but brought air conditioning to 940 students. The news was met with excitement and relief from the incoming class of 2027: “This is why Columbia is the best school ever,” noted a student on social media. Plans for sophomore buildings are underway for academic year 2024-25.

A dorm room that has been refreshed with new flooring, lighting, paint, and furniture.

Electronic Locks More than a Modern Convenience

Hard keys will soon be a thing of the past for Columbia students living in the residence halls. Soon the University ID card will be the only item they need, serving as the electronic key to swipe into their residence hall and student room. This multi-year plan to modernize access to the Housing portfolio is more than just a matter of convenience. The project also is also an upgrade in hardware and systems, providing better student experience for managing access or lockouts, while also allowing for maintenance and security improvements. The project launched in July 2023 and by the end of Fiscal Year 2024, already 50 percent of the portfolio was online. Work will be completed by Summer 2025.

A person installs an electronic lock in a dorm room door.

Refresh of Popular Broadway Residence Hall

Broadway Hall first opened in 2000 and quickly became a popular living option for Columbia juniors and a lucky handful of sophomores. Broadway is a corridor-style building with singles and doubles, air conditioning, and cool views of the city from the top floors. In the summer of 2023, a refresh project included new furniture for student rooms and lounges; pantries with all new appliances, plus refreshed communal restrooms and additional gender-inclusive restrooms. Updated light fixtures, new carpeting, and fresh paint throughout gave the building its finishing touches.

Rave reviews all around: “My son lives in Broadway Hall. It’s totally amazing! Thank you Columbia Housing for this amazing place to live,” shared one parent online.